Crate-making machine



O. M. BABCOCK. CRATE MAK'I'NG' MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR 6, 1917. 1,371,595.

Patented Mar. 15,1921.

- 0. M. BABCOCK.

CRATE'MAKING MACHINE- APPLICATION HLED MAR. e, 1917. 1,371,595, Patented Mar. 15, 1921.

' 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- lfibveh/ifio a" OZzJvarMorganBaZroocm.

M $726M Z 0. M.- BABCOCK.

CRATE MAKING, MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAR 6, 1917- Patented Mar. 15, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEE1 4- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OLIVER M. BAIBCOCK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO WIREIBOUNDS PATENTS COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

CRATE-MAKING MACHINE.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 15, 1921.

Application filed March 6, 1917. Serial No. 152,482.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OLIVER M. Bassoon, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented an Improvement in Crate-Makin Machines, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to improvements-1n the manufacture of crates from spaced slats and suitable reinforcing 'or stiffening means such, for instance, as cleats, parts of the crate being bound one to another by wire or the like. The invention comprises mechanical means for making, or partially making such crates.

Prior to this invent on box blanks comprising substantially continuous or imperforate sides wirebound together so as to be ent invention will be explained, for illustration, as embodied in a machine of this general type, but it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to such a machine.

The character of the invention may be readily understood by reference to an illustrative machine shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a of the type referred to; Y

Fig. 2 is a partial section of the machine shown in Fig. 1 in a plane parallel with that of tho sheetof Fig. 1; D

Fig. 3 is aside elevation of a portion of the machine viewed from the side opposite that shown in Fig.1. and the machine also being in the opposite phase of its motion;

Fig. 4 is a vertical detail section of the line 4-1 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a modification of the arrangement shown in Fig. fl, as more fully explained hereinafter;

machine Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan View of the parts shown in Fig. 6; and

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are detached detail elevations of different forms of spacer blocks.

Referring to Fig. 1, a frame 1 carries shafts 2 and 3, having ,journaled thereon respectively sprockets 5 and 6 for a chain 7. Said chain 7 is attached at 8 and 9 to a lug 10, depending fromthe carriage 11, mounted upon wheels-12 which run in suitable guideways on the frame 1. The carriage 11 supports a fastener driving mechanism hereinafter referred to, and the movement of the carriage lengthwise the table 1 conveys said driving mechanism from one desired driving position to another.

The work on which the fastener drivin mechanism it to operate may be supported beneath the carriage 11 and between the sides of frame 1 (see Fig. 2) by suitable vision for relatively positioning the blank forming materials. Herein the chains 13 are trained over suitable sprockets 14 mounted on shaft 3 and sprockets 15 on a shaft 16 journaled in suitable brackets 17. The chains 13 are shown broken away in Fig. 1 and preferably extend tothe right a sufficient distance to permit materials to be assembled thereon beyond the end of the frame 1 while the driving mechanism is operating on those materials supported between the sides of the frame. There may be any suitable number of companion chains 13 to suit the characteristics of the particular type of crate desired to be made, and several types of such coiiperating chains are illustrated in Figs. 4 and 6 and will be fully explained hereinafter.

On the carriage 11 is mounted the motor 19 the rotor of which carries apinion 20 which meshes with a gear 21 on the shaft of which is mounted a pulley 22. The pulley 22 is connected by belt 23 to a pulley 24. mounted on a shaft25 carried by suitable standards on the carriage 11. The hub or sleeve of the pulley 24c has also formed thereon a smaller pulley 26, adapted to be connected by belt 27 to the pulley 28 on shaft 29 journaled in the carriage 11. The belt 27, joining pulleys 26 and 28 may normally be somewhat loose and an idler 30 is provided which may be drawn into engagement with the belt by means of the hand lever 31 to tighten the-same and thereby to drive the feed chains 13 which conveniently have pro- In Fig. 2 there isshown on "the shaft eccentrics 36 which exemplify any practie 1 cable driving instrumentali'ty for stapling or other fastener; driving mechanisms 37; The latter may be of any suitable or desired type, as, for instance, stapling mechanism already well-k nown in the art, and it isunnecessary to enter into a detaileddeseription' 2 shaft 29 has secured thereon pinions- 32 adapted-to mesh Withracks 33extending longitudinally in' frame 1 of the na'ehine, -It will be understood that ii thebelt 2T, tightened, 'rotation of the motor in 'aI'. clock--.' wise'-- dii :ection 'willf drive the-snare 29 through-the train of mechanism described" a counter-clockwise direction and thus, move the carriage 11' along the fi'amel to-;

tvard the left viewing Figs. .1, and 2.-

"The pulleys 24 andv 26-may be clntchedjto:

thelshaft 25 to rotate the same therewith by means of aficlutch '34which may be controlled by' a hand lever 35.; The. form of clutch is not herein illustrated in detailfb it it may be of the well knowntypeconsisting of a semi-cylindrical rod fitting a semi-cyL- indrical'groove in the shaft adapted when turned'onits axis to enter a semi-cylindrical a 'preventitfrom running -oif the frame 11a groove in the hub of the pulleys.

thereof herein. 1

v Referring no'wto Fig. 3, shaft 125 has." mounted on one end. thereo-f the crank disk- .38 to which is attached-the pitman orcon-' necting rod 39 connected at its opposite end tota pawl carrying lever 40 pivoted on the 1 end of the pinion carrying shaft 29. Shaft riage 11 adj agent the pawl is a ispring-catch' 29 has a ratchet wheel 41 thereon the le-.' ver 40 has a pawl 42 within-weighted end adapted to'swing the same into "cooperation" with the ratchet wheel.- Mounted on thie car:

43-l'1aving a recess-adapted to-receive an arm 44 extending from the, pawljandiholdthe same away from the ratchet 4l -as illustrated in Fig. 3. Brackets 45 and 46 are provided on. the frame ofthe machine, havingex -j Y tensions adapted to strike-the end of the be giving intermittent rotation and through pawl at :the extremes ofitravel of'theca'rriagel l'." As illustrated "in Fig. 3.111s ex .tensiononbracket 145 has just engaged the pawl, swung the sameclock'wise andpressed :the thereon into re'cess of springcatch-43." The pawl is thus heldjfree from] the ratchet wheel. After the carriage. has traveled tothe right, viewing Fig. 3', the cit-' tension on bracket 46 will engage the pawl,] rock the same free of the spring-catchinto, position to engage the ratchet anddrive the I same in i a counter-clockwise direction (viewing Fig.1 3) as the shaft 25 turns It the --pawl' is in this operative position and the shaft 25 clutched to the driving; pulley 24' will be understood that the shaft .2 9 will the pin ions 32 yvill drive the. carriage 11 step-by'-s tep"toward the-left in Fig. '3.--'

The operation ofthe machin'e may now be understood. Suppose the earriagejto' hein the position shown .in .Figs. 1 and'z2 The belt 273s loose and. the machine is readyfto commence a -stapling ,poperationj. If the clutch 34.be thrown-- in by means. of the lever. 35, the paw'1; 42 seen-in Fig; 3 being released from catch 43 and in" positiontooperatejon the ratchet 41, "the rotation A of the shaft 25 will'cause the carriage to v be advanced 'stepbye-step to theiright, iewing Figs. 1 "and 2 which ;may be -led' to' work from 'holding reels, not shown,-- throughgui s 47 (F1g, 1). 'Tohalt the travel of the; carriage and 1 153348 maybe provided on the; frame adapted .to contact with anextension 49' from" the clutch controlling. lever -35 land so act to throwgout the clutch when the carriage hasreached an extreme right-hand position.

The action of the staplers and the-movement of the carriage will-be at once halted. The

carriage will now be in the position shown in Fig. 3, and "the extension on bracket 45 1 V will, have acted to threw pawl. ,42' clear of its ratchet and into f'perationjwith the;

spring holding catch' 43...

- '.'To. 'return the carriage to initial position and at the same timeto bring-into place new [-work'to be acted upon, the operator may."

tighten thebelt 27. by nioving-idlerjfil); through the hand lever 31. "The motion of'the pulley- 24 which hasbeen'revolving fidlyIon shaft 25 is therefore communicatedto. the

pulley'28 toiturnithe 'pinionsv29 seen in Fig. 2 in-a counter-clockwise directionand' so to return the carriage to the-position shown in Figs 1 and'2. During this move-' Inie'nt theipawl 42' (Fig. 3'). .zis held bythe c'atch, .43; and the ratchet 41' is permitted torevolve freely. The carriage may, be stoppedin the positi'onshown in F ig's. 1 and 23b;

means of ,alug'50 on the, frame of the; machine which-{- will contact withan extension .51 on lever 3lfan'd act to throw out the idler 30 and loosen the/belt 27. Asthe carriage; stops, it is moved-tothe extreme right,

vieWingFig-3. and the extensionon bracket .free of the holding catch and into position to work on the ratchet "onthe" next v active; movement of the carriage." i

' In the movement of the carriage? from. right tofleft viewing Fig. 1', the chain? willhave been dragged around and-the" sprockets '5 and G'cansed to turn in a counter.

clockwise direction andnthroughpawls 52 operating on :ratchets 53 :fast on shaift '3 the sprockets 14 will have been rotated and the work carrying chains 13 will have been ad'- vanced to discharge at the left-hand end of the machine the work which has been operated on and to drag forward into position beneath the path of the carriage the new blank materials which have been positioned on the runs of the chains during the previous operation of the stapler mechanism. A retaining pawl 52 and ratchet 53 shown in F ig. 2 may be providedon shaft 3 to prevent retrograde movement of sprockets 14 in the workin travel of'carriage. Thepawl and ratchet feed mechanism described is designed to advance the carriage a certain distance at each revolution of the shaft and to space the staples at regular intervals. It may be desired to vary the amount of travel of the carriage between anv two successive stapling operations. This may be effected by means of the hand-lever 31, the pressing down of which tends to cause the carriage 11 to move in the direction opposite from that given it through the pawl and ratchet feed mechanism. The pressing down of this lever acts as. a brake and permits the operator to take up the inertia imparted to the carriage after the pawl has ceased to operate on the ratchet. The operator may thus control the carriage practically at will.

For the purpose of adjusting the carriage manually to properly position the staplers with respect to the work. I here illustrate a ratchet feed wheel a. affixed to shaft 29, a lever 13 pivotally mounted on that shaft and a pawl 0 carried by said lever and controlled. by an ordinary hand-grip such as illustrated, to bring it into cofiperation with the ratchet a or throw it out of engagement. By vibrating the lever Z while ahe belt 27 is slack, the carriage may be propelled independently of the motor and thus properly adjusted with reference to the work at the beginning of operations.

The illust'ative type of machine hereinbefore described has many features of similarity to box making machines heretofore known in the art. By the mechanisms next to be described this type of machine is importantly modified to suit the peculiar characteristic problems of crate making. which are vitally different and substantially more diflicult than those encountered in the making of the usual types of wirehound and like boxes.

One of the principal diliiculties encountered in the manufacture of crates by inachinery residesin the necessity for feeding to the fastening devices a plurality of separate sheets or slats for each side or other portion of the crate. and positioning the same as they are fed in proper relation to the reinforcements'or cleats and to the wire or the like, and to the operating parts of the machine. For instance, in making boxes of the type referred to, having substant1ally continuous and integralsheets to be connect ed in the operation of the machine and to have cleats attached thereto, these sheets are preferably spaced in substantial registration with the spaces between the cleats, and it is therefore a comparatively simple matter to provide cooperating cleat spacing and sheet spacing devices, which may be substantially unitary in construction. In crate making, however, slats require to be spaced practically independently of the cleat spacing, so far as concerns the spacing of slats between the extremities of the cleats. In other words, where two or more slats constitute a wall of the crate, these slats must be positioned properly in relation to the extremities of'the cleats and must be additionally spaced in proper relation to each other between the extremities of the cleats. Furthermore, it is frequently desirable to provide cleats on opposite sides of the crate slats. The drawings illustrate practicable and successful apparatus for solving these and other problems involved in crate making. Other aspects of the invention pertain to the making, of a gang of crates or boxes simultaneously.

To supply suitable spacing means for the slats on the crate, I preferably provide intercleatslat-spacing means, or, in other words. slat-positioning means out of the line of the cleats. In the embodiment of my invention here disclosed (see Fig. 4) I have done this by providing special chains 51:. 55 and 56. having flanges or projections 57 to which may be attached spacers 58. The spacers may be of the form shown in Fig. 8 having jaws 59 adapted to fit over the flange 57 and be secured thereto by clamping screws 60. I prefer to provide'three such spacers for each slat. as disclosed in Fig. and I prefer to position two of these at the ends of one side of each slat. and a third on the opposite side of each slat in the center.

In making small c ates. great economy is eflrnzted by using the entire width of the machine and so making several at the same time. In doing this. which I term multicrate making, I have found it advantageous to use slats sufficiently long to make the number of "crates which it is desired to make simultaneously, and later to saw them up into separate crate blanks. To perform this. I prefer to supply several sprockets such as 14 and 15, onthe shafts 3 and 17 respectively, and over these run chains of different designs. In the embodiment here disclosed. I use seven chains of four difien ent types. Of these, the chain 54 is provided with interiorly projections 57 and also a high side 61, and a low side 62,

forming the ch nnel or groove.

extending flanges or 63], into which the cleats 6.4 may" beset .end

been properly stapled together, the blank may be-..completed either by rreadjus'ting the sameilnachine or. by using asecondmachine of the; same type -carrying the chains 74:

and 75 and'thefou r chains 76 (see Fig. 6).;

The. object ofth' second running isto at.- I tach the four battens 77. The'chainsfldaresimilar to the chain'66used on the first Illiichine. To the projections .78 of. these are to end. The chain 561s similar to chain 54 eXcept'that itis of the opposite hand. China 55 is similar to the chain 5d, except that. the sides a-reot equal height. --.Tl ie chains '65 are similar to the chain 55, but lack thepro- 'jecti'ons 57. The chain;f66 has no groove-for 1 may be substantially varied within the scope 5 of the subjoin'edf claims. .It. is notlindis- "pensable .thatalli the features of the inven- I tiom-be used conjointlysince they maybe containing av 'cl'eat, but is. provided .With a? projection 67" adapted to .hold'a special attafchment 68' for Y the purpose of extending" 1 ;up between the sl'atsat intervals, to positionlaterally land longitudinally a cleati' 69 to be attached to theitopolfjtheslats. This 'at-' tachment may take the form shown in 9 ha vi igiclamping jaws 7O;a n dscrews 71 adapted to-isecure the attachment to projection 67; "o;t.chai-n 66and a body'portion 72 f ofi'setfroin jaws '70 so as'to be-a-bove and be supported by chain 66.. This, body portion may have recesses 73; to i receive: the ends of successive lcleatsl The bottom of the groove of, thechains. Maud .55, and 6,5.prefe1 ably act as clenchers for the-staples or other fastening instrumentalities which are driven 1 by the fastener driv ng" mechanism through the slatand the cleat. The topo'ithe chain 66 als'o acts as a clencher. for; the fasteners which are driven th'roughthe cleat-oir bat ten 69 andthe slati,

When' the slats, cleat} battens have c p t endwise separation'of-the' cleats below. and

fastenedthe attachments 79- which.v space laterally and longitudinally the battens 77 The 1 members chosenior illustration are shown in detail in Fig. 10. They are sim'i l a r to thef'rnembers 68 'shown inFig. 9but the body portions thRareof are channeled instead of being provided with recesses.

Afterlthi's second running is completed, the blanks are split'by sawing the slats between slat spacing invention, refers to the spacers interslat cleat spacing means. T This refers tothe meansfiprojecting up between the slats to space superimposed cleats.

It is to beunderstoodthat I "shown v1n thedr-awings andhereinbefore described for illustration, exemplifies merely pbetween theslats out (if-the the machine relationship.

one practicable.embodimentof the me'chanis calffeatures of this invention and that the inventionisby-no'means limited to the spe cific type of machine-"described .n'or to the ilhistrative.organihation.and mode ofoper'ation.. On thecontrary, both the mechanical andmethod features of the invention 1911, in; so fa as itfrelates to matter com mon to thetwo cases. Having now fully "described one embodimentfof my invention; whati'I desir to claim by Letters'Patent isi a 1. In a crate blank-makingmachine, the

combination of fastener: applying mechanism'; work supporting mechanism; means relatively to fmove the work supporting and fastener applying mechanisms to present different portions ofthe work in operative relation to the fastener applyi ng[mechanism; said i work "supporting mechanism comprlsi'ng sub-slat cleat spacing means and superslat cleat spac1ng-.means,'fo1- produc ng above-the slats respectively.

'2. A wirebound crate 'blank'making ma;

- chinecomprising. a plurality offsub-slat cleatspacing means; and superslat. cleat spacing means. for the purposeiof spacing thecleats belowfandabove the slats of the blank.

- 3' Afmachi'ne for making wire bound boxblanks by wiring. together cleats and slats,

comprising. a trav'eling :work-holder having super-slat cleat spacing means, devices to operate saidfwork-holder, and means to ap- .4. A machine: oil the described com-- -.ply binding, wires .to fasten the cleats and prising, in combination, a, stapling mechanism and-a work holder adapted for'relathe battens 7 7 and the cleats 64, and the batten'i 69 is split in two" in this case. Thisdivides the combined blank into six smaller. crate'fblanks, eachof which may bereadily foldedi'tdformthe.four sidesof the crate." In the gpnims :I have referred to intercleat' I means.- This, in this embodiv tive. rnovement,' said work holder comprisdiiferenthoriz'ontal plane. e

' A machine of the class described comprising -w0rk' positioning chains, having means for'receiving" cleats in end'to end relation, and slat spacing members) removably secured atselected points on. the sides of said chains constructed and arranged to project aboveand laterally of the cleatstoposition'the'slats on the cleats in desired -6. :A machine of the class desribed com-- prising work positioning chains of channel form to receive cleats in longitudinal series,

said members on said flanges at selected points and constructed and arranged to project above and laterally of said cleats to position the slats on the cleats in desired relationship.

7. A machine of the class described comprising work positioning chains having means for receiving cleats in end to end relation, lateral flanges on said chains and slat spacing members having means for clamping said members on said flanges at selected points and constructed and arranged to project above and laterally of said cleats to space and hold the slats in desired relationship on the cleats.

8. A machine'of the class described comprising work positioning chains of channel form to receive cleats in longitudinal series, and slat spacing members removably secured at selected points on the sides of said chains and constructed and arranged to project above and laterally of the cleats to space the slats on said cleats.

9. A machine of the class described comprising relatively movable stapling mechamsm and work' holding mechanism, said work holding mechanism comprising enclless chains having means for carrying forward cleats in end to end relation for operation of said mechanism thereon, and slat spacing members constructed and arranged for attachment to said chains at chosen locations along their length to project laterally of and above such cleats.

10-. A. machine of the class described comprising relatively movable stapling mechanism and work holding mechanism, said work holding mechanism comprising endless chains having means for carrying forward cleats in end to end relation for operation of said mechanism thereon, and slat spacing members having jaws adapted-to receive and clamp on said chains at variably selected points and body portions project ing laterally of and above such cleats to position the slats thereon.

11. A machine of the class described comprising feed chains being adapted to receive and position sub-cleats and one or more of said chains having members attached thereto having body portions overlying said chains and formed to receive and position super-cleats.

12. A machine for use in making wirebound crates comprising, in combination, fastener-setting and binding-wire applying mechanism; work-positioning means for receiving and positioning cleats and slats, including devices arranged to project above the slats to position cleats thereon and hold them against lateral or longitudinal displacement; and means to cause relative progression between the fastener-setting mechanism and the work.

13. A machine for use in making wirebound crates comprising, in combination, fastener-setting mechanism; work-positioning means for receiving and positioning cleats and slats, including devices for positioning slats on sub-cleats, and other de vices arranged to project above the slats and position super-cleats thereon; and means to cause relative progression between the fas tener-setting mechanism and the work.

14. A machine of the class described comprising endless work-supporting chains, a

mechanism for operating on the work and reciprocable horizontally thereover, and means to drive said chains from said mechanism on its motion. in one direction.

15. A machine of the class described comprising an endless work supporting device trained over sprockets, a mechanism for operating on the work and reciprocable horizontally thereover, a chain attached to said mechanism and trained over sprockets, and means to drive said first mentioned sprockets from the revolution of said chain'in one direction.

16. A machine for use in making wirebound cleat-reinforced crates, compr ising, in combination, mechanism to secure binding wire to cleats and slats in crate-side forming assembly; and work-controlling means determining such assembly, including means for positioning the slats in spaced relationship on the cleats and at selected distances short of the ends thereof during the action of said mechanism;

17. A machine for use in making wirebound cleat-reinforced crates, comprising. in

combination. means for securing together with binding wires assembled cleats and slatted side material for a plurality of crate sections; and work-controlling means for determining, during the operation of wiring and securing the materials together. relative positions of cleats and slats to form foldably related crate sections having a plurality of spaced slats on an individual section.

18. A machine'for use in making wirebound cleatreinforced crates comprising, in combination, mechanism to fasten wires to assembled crate sections and secure the wooden parts thereof together; and workpresenting means constructed and arranged for relatively positioning cleats and a plurality of spaced slats foran individual section during such operation.

19. A machine for use in making wirebound cleat-reinforced crates comprising, in combination, work-controlling means for positioning cleats and slats for a plurality of crate sections in cooperative foldable rela means for positioning material for a 'means for positioning materials for a tance short of the cleat end; and means tocause relatlve progression between SillCl mechanism and the Work.

35. A machine for use in making wirebound cleat-reinforced crates comprising, in combination, fastener-setting-and bindingwire-applying mechanism; work-controlling side, including means for positioning a slat on a cleat with its edges selected distances short of the ends of the cleat.

36. A machine for use in making wirebound cleat-reinforced crates comprising, in combination, fastener-setting and bindingw ire-applying mechanism; work-controlling crate side, including means for positioning a plurality of slats on a cleat with their edges located at selected distances from the cleat ends and from each other, and means to cause relative progression between said mechanism and the work.

37. A machine for use in making wirebound crates or boxes having cleats and side material comprising, in combination, means to apply binding wire to the work; means to cause relative progression between the binding-wire-applying means and the work;

'and work-controlling means including removable devices for spacing a sheet of side material a selected distance short of a cleat end.

38. A machine for use in making wirebound crates or boxes having cleats and side material comprislng,

in combination, means to apply binding wire to the work; means to cause relative progression between the binding-wireapplying means and the work; and

(irate work-controlling means including removable devices for selectively spacing a plurality of sheets of side material on a cleat.

39. A machine for use in making wirebound cleat-reinforcing boxes comprising in combination, endless workforwarding means; means to apply binding wire to the box parts; means to cause relative progres sion between the binding-wire-applying means and the box parts; means detachably secured to the work-forwarding means at selected points to position cleats; and means detachably secured to the work-forwarding means at selected points intermediate the cleat-positioning means for spacing side material.

40. In a box blank machine, the combination of a cleat guide, spacing blocks for insertion between cleats, separate and independent sheet-spacing devices, and a common means for advancing said blocks,- devices and associated worl.

41. A machine of the class described com prising, in combination, mechanism for fastening together the cleats and side material of assembled box or crate sections and to secure binding wire thereto; and means for presenting such sections thereto with the .parts in proper relationship, comprising separate and independent cleat and sheet forwarding devices, and a common actuating means for synchronously advancing said cleat and sheet forwarding devices.

42. A machine of the class described having, in combination, cleat-feeding means; separate and independent feeding means for side material associated with cleats; and a common actuating means for operating them synchronously.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name .to this specification. v

OLIVER M. BABCOCK. 

